Thread: Choices for beginners-your equipment.

Originally Posted by bobski

Agree oz,

I only mention it as an opportunity for people who would want to learn honing, gives them an idea of what is ahead. If it was their 1st razor, the point is moot. But if nanna gives him a hundred year old ivory scaled beauty, I'd hate to see the poor fella butcher the thing....lol

As always, enjoy the banter,

Bob

gotta ask though, why pay international shipping when G&F razors are readily available from the AKC in Australia?

Originally Posted by Adam G.

gotta ask though, why pay international shipping when G&F razors are readily available from the AKC in Australia?

Good point. I bought one however, with one of their strops a year ago or so, when our dollar was much higher, the shipping cost was no more than if were posted interstate express post. As you point out, you can add probably $30 to the price of those razors today, so if AKC can get you one for a lot less, go for it, but only if you like torture and RSA, see the previous posts as to the difficulty many have with these razors. Good luck.

Bobski

Originally Posted by bobski

Good point. I bought one however, with one of their strops a year ago or so, when our dollar was much higher, the shipping cost was no more than if were posted interstate express post. As you point out, you can add probably $30 to the price of those razors today, so if AKC can get you one for a lot less, go for it, but only if you like torture and RSA, see the previous posts as to the difficulty many have with these razors. Good luck.

Bobski

Further to the AKC price. The 570 G & F from star shaving is $88 US dollars plus $13.50 postage, Works out with exchange rate to be $121.50 (Horn scales 6/8 Hamburg Ring), same razor at AKC is $125 Australian plus postage, so even with the OS postage it's cheaper than AKC. Cheers, Bobski

Originally Posted by bobski

Further to the AKC price. The 570 G & F from star shaving is $88 US dollars plus $13.50 postage, Works out with exchange rate to be $121.50 (Horn scales 6/8 Hamburg Ring), same razor at AKC is $125 Australian plus postage, so even with the OS postage it's cheaper than AKC. Cheers, Bobski

But the one from the US will take at least two weeks.
You could be shaving by the weekend with the one from AKC.

Re Straight shaving being a way of life.

In 15 months using a str8t razor, I've learned how to incorporate my lifestyle into enjoying something most regard as a chore. No one is supposed to like shaving. We like our tools, we like the attention to detail, the artisanship, the pride we take in all these things. A way of life, 'certainly'. I enjoy the preparation, the face prep, the lather, the brush, love the method of sharpening something that is really hard to do. The question one needs to ask oneself, is why? If it's saving money, then, buy a 5 blade thing. I like a little nostalgia, maybe a recollection of a grandfather, in his fake marble bathroom, with a blade he furiously strops on this leather thing, his voice 'Christ, I've knicked myself', because of you....oh and never shave when you are in a hurry....

Originally Posted by Robbied

But the one from the US will take at least two weeks.
You could be shaving by the weekend with the one from AKC.

Fair enough mate, my intention in the 1st post was to show their strops. Whatever works for you, save money if you can.

Cheers bob

G'day Smyth

When you decide to 'jump in', read the Library of this forum, seek out members who might be in your area, and work out what you want to achieve by stra8t Shaving. Eg: Do you intend to use it say, every other day, do you intend to get a couple so you can use one all the time. If it is to be all the time, you will need two or three. The mistake most make is trying to shave with a new razor from reputable companies, that espouse their razors are 'Shave ready' . Most cases this is simply not true. Please...please seek out a person who can professionally sharpen your 1st razor. It serves a number of purposes, 1. You will know what sharp is, 2. You will know what a comfortable shave is, and 3, If you decide you'd like to learn about honing, you will have a reference point as to 'sharp' . Best advice is be patient. Don't do what I did, rush into it, make errors, and learn the hard way. I did however have my 1st razor pro honed, the rest is history. Now I shave everyday. I haven't touched a safety razor, never own a disposable. But it is hard to learn to shave well, believe me you won't be proficient for many months, so look carefully at your intentions, it can and for me, is a great thing to do. Get started with a pro honed razor and go from there. You will find plenty of advice from the bloke who hones it for you. I wish you well mate, if in doubt..ask away.

Cheers Bobski

Very well said !

Originally Posted by Robbied

But the one from the US will take at least two weeks.
You could be shaving by the weekend with the one from AKC.

Re the G & F #571 6/8 horn scales purchased from Star Shaving. I ordered this razor from Star Shaving on the 18th of October. It cost me $88 US, plus $13.75 postage and the exchange rate made it $121.25, quite a few bucks less than AKC, and the wait being 9 days. No criticism of AKC, but an important observation.

I am aware that this brand of razor in our forum is that it is a 'RAZOR TO BE AVOIDED'. On examination of this razor this afternoon, the packaging like many say their razors are 'Shave Ready'. Now in all sincerity on examining this blade, it is very close to being shave ready. It certainly won't require a 1k stone, nor a 4k either. I'd suggest that this brand of razor has lifted it's game. I can find no other explanation for what appears to be a well constructed and a razor that IMHO is sharper out of the box than any of my five dovo's. Now of course the shave test is the ultimate judge of it. It cuts arm hair out of the box, and I doubt it will take more than 20 minutes of gentle work to get it right. It's identical brother of one year ago was not anywhere near ready and took hours and days to get right. This new one is clearly in good shape. Sorry moderators, but this razor isn't atypical of previous G & F's.


The question of longevity remains unanswerable, but, the identical razor I bought from them a year ago shaves great. It however was nowhere near ready, this one is close. Put it this way, had I not gotten excellent shaves I wouldn't have bought a 2nd. My advice is give it a go.For it's price, it's effectiveness as a shaving tool, our list of crook razors, needs to revisit this brand of razor. It's not a gold dollar, nor is it a $110 Muhle. It is not a bad razor at all, probably not for complete novices, only because they dont own an 8k and higher, because at worst that's as low as I need to go on this razor. I swear it's near to strop and shave..

Regards Bob

Originally Posted by bobski

Re the G & F #571 6/8 horn scales purchased from Star Shaving. I ordered this razor from Star Shaving on the 18th of October. It cost me $88 US, plus $13.75 postage and the exchange rate made it $121.25, quite a few bucks less than AKC, and the wait being 9 days. No criticism of AKC, but an important observation.

I am aware that this brand of razor in our forum is that it is a 'RAZOR TO BE AVOIDED'. On examination of this razor this afternoon, the packaging like many say their razors are 'Shave Ready'. Now in all sincerity on examining this blade, it is very close to being shave ready. It certainly won't require a 1k stone, nor a 4k either. I'd suggest that this brand of razor has lifted it's game. I can find no other explanation for what appears to be a well constructed and a razor that IMHO is sharper out of the box than any of my five dovo's. Now of course the shave test is the ultimate judge of it. It cuts arm hair out of the box, and I doubt it will take more than 20 minutes of gentle work to get it right. It's identical brother of one year ago was not anywhere near ready and took hours and days to get right. This new one is clearly in good shape. Sorry moderators, but this razor isn't atypical of previous G & F's.


The question of longevity remains unanswerable, but, the identical razor I bought from them a year ago shaves great. It however was nowhere near ready, this one is close. Put it this way, had I not gotten excellent shaves I wouldn't have bought a 2nd. My advice is give it a go.For it's price, it's effectiveness as a shaving tool, our list of crook razors, needs to revisit this brand of razor. It's not a gold dollar, nor is it a $110 Muhle. It is not a bad razor at all, probably not for complete novices, only because they dont own an 8k and higher, because at worst that's as low as I need to go on this razor. I swear it's near to strop and shave..

Regards Bob

To quote from the Star Shaving Website: "The edge that the manufacturer has put on this straight razor is not a ready to shave edge."

If you think it is close to shave ready I suggest this seller is honing the razors pror to despatch. Obviosly they are not honed to your satisfaction tho.

I would say the G&F will probably stay on our "avoid" list for a while yet.